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i know, lenoir wants to be my padawan, so if you can kill him first, then get back to me...

May the force be with me!

You can use a spectator's skepticism as a segue into another effect.

"Reading minds is not quite like reading a book - it happens more like an intuition - a sudden flash of information. Even when someone thinks they have a singular thought in their mind, it is not really true - the brain processes billions of pieces of information each second. That is why, if I can get various facets of your mind, including your subconscious, to concentrate and focus on a single simple thing, I can sometimes - not always - but sometimes acheive success. For example, let's try this..."

Etc.

Thanks for your thoughts about this Shufton...

LoveKey1988 wrote:Sometimes I wish I could really read minds you know? When I do mentalism often people ask me if I really know what they are thinking and ask me to say what they are thinking right now. My answer usually is that if I'd tell them what they are thinking they would be freak out and that's not gonna be good for me...What tips do you have on that? How do you respond?

Firstly, you have to explain that the whole idea of being a "Mind Reader" is not exactly right, it's more a matter of discerning thoughts and subliminal energy that's focused on a given idea or action. This will get you out of a lot of hot water but it's likewise a set-up when it comes to what is possible, the answer being based on what you've studied, applied yourself towards understanding and of course, implemented. There's easily HUNDREDS of routines you could move into when set in this situation but it depends on where your mind is as to what will work best FOR YOU.

I will frequently move into things like Cloud Busting (if I'm outside) or Muscle Reading routines but there's likewise a plethora of bits that can be done that are pure psychology, mathematics, or the simple act of exploiting one's circumstances... all of this long before moving into any sort of billet or swami styled material.

The second side to this question does however center on your personal as well as character's position with things. I tend to come from a very Old School route of travel in which doing Readings and calling yourself "Psychic" is normal, legit and very much how a greater aspect of the Mentalism community practiced well into the late 1960s (ish) and (thank the gods) are rediscovering... that is to say, many of the new comers to Mentalism are seeing greater value in this older philosophy over the new "Derren Brown (JREF Inspired) "New School" mode in which a much colder "clinical" or "intellectual" approach is taken and (sadly) it's all looked at as being "tricks" and nothing other (an attitude that cuts most out of the traditional bread & butter markets tied to the craft).

I point this out only because someone with the pseudo-intellectual bend would be more (appropriately so) tempted to present a psychological demonstration vs. someone like my self, who would guide the patron's imagination down a much more mystical/New Age type course. In either instance we would be striving to create an experience (I'd hope) and not just present what we do in the same way one might do the Cups & Balls but rather in the guise of being a valid demonstration (a.k.a. NOT A TRICK or Stunt).

Another thing that comes into play when it comes to personal focus is what material FITS your claims...

If you're an Intuitionist for an example, you wouldn't be offering dead on identifications of a thought or feeling or even telling someone how much change they have in their pocket, it simply doesn't fit the claim. But if you are doing seance work or Ghost Walks it would make sense to move into PK Touches and various other bits that would suggest spirit contact.

Improvisational situations such as you describe, should be seen as marketing opportunities and thus, your task is to offer a SHORT teaser... one or two bits that validate your claims and consume less than 10 minutes of your time (5 minutes is actually pushing the point at times; you want to be a nice guy not a fool getting sucked into working for free a.k.a. the trained monkey syndrome). Don't be overly eager and don't worry about doing anything that's exceptionally staggering (flashy). Keep it simple, clean and leaving them wanting more. Then leave them your business card as you explain that you do home parties, etc. with rates starting as low as $500.00 for an hour's time... or whatever.

You have to be very careful when it comes to "showing off" and doing too much. You most guard your own demeanor (temper) in that some of these "requests" will come from drunken fools boasting an I.Q. level comparable to a Road Apple and can thus be taxing.

There is one other scenario we need to consider (I think)... simply being in the mood to do something.

I have frequently walked into the local Starbucks and just started with one or two people at a single table doing some basic demonstrations but slowly my voice raises and my actions get bigger and I start drawing others into what I'm up to. I've done full shows in this manner simply because I had the time, was in the mood and wanted to experiment with some new material. Such bits get the word out but they also add to that "being part of the community" image that's so important to us.

Thanks for taking the time to do such a long post in answer to my question Craig. You always give me inspiration. Thanks again!